GETTING DRUNK on the beach with her friends was Via's ideal way of celebrating July. She hadn't had that much fun in a long time, considering everything that was going on. Hours later, the group decided to migrate back to the Fisher's house, gathering around on the deck before Via got taken away by her father. She would've rather been with her friends, who were all getting drunk without her.

Via struggled to keep up with her father's large strides, as she complained, "Dad, why can't we just talk later? I'm having fun."

"Does having fun mean getting drunk? Because that's what it looks like." Adam retorted, yet a small smile appeared on his face.

Via frowned at his calmness, "You're not mad?"

"I am mad." Adam corrected, before he stopped walking as they had arrived in their garden. He continued, "But it's the ways of growing up. I drunk, your mom drunk, everybody drinks once in their life."

"Cam doesn't." Via deadpanned sarcastically, as she folded her arms over her chest. She watched her dad pick up an American Football from the grass. Via frowned, "Dad, I thought this talk was about drinking. What are you doing?"

Via knew what he was doing- he was attempting to build back a relationship that was already long gone. However, Via appreciated his efforts but no matter how hard he tried, Adam cheated on her mother- Conrad had told her a while ago. And she hated for him it.

Jeremiah had rushed towards the two playing the game, before quickly joining in. He threw the ball to Via, as she watched the ball fly over head, she didn't bother to jump for it. Jere chuckled, "Ollie."

Adam blurted out, "Your mom told me you quit girl's football at school."

"I was bringing the team down. I can't catch the ball for shit." Via deadpanned, as she picked up the ball from the grass, "I was never good at it, dad. I always told you I hated it-"

"You just needed to try harder, Vi." Adam explained, trying to joke yet nobody laughed, "If you weren't so focused on boys then maybe you would've been better."

The twins shared eye contact for a moment, knowing what they were thinking in an instant. Jere had a soft look on his face, sympathy in his eyes yet he smiled mischievously after a while, like he knew something dad didn't. Via just rolled her eyes, a small smile appearing on her face as she threw the ball at her brother.

Alike her mother, Via had never really liked sports, yet the rest of her family were very sporty. Trying to bond over something she hated with her dad was quite awkward, and clearly that awkwardness was quite obvious to Conrad, who had quickly joined in the game to help ease the mood. Connie was always good at sports, yet he was mostly playing for Via to make her feel better in this situation. 

From the other side of their front garden was Belly, who was sat on the deck with her friends. She held her margarita, which she had drunk too many of, as she watched Via play the game. Belly looked at the girl, her blonde hair practically glowing in the sun, as her pink bikini complimented her summer tan perfectly. Belly preferred volleyball, yet she wanted to ditch her friends and join Via more than anything. She didn't know why she felt so drawn to Via- they had always been best friends, but this felt different. Belly couldn't describe this feeling yet it felt so familiar.

Adam had gone to retrieve the ball, which Via had threw purposely very far away, giving her space to recharge her enthusiasm for him. Jeremiah noticed this of course, before his attitude changed. He insisted, "Can you be nice to dad for one day?"

"He hasn't even been here for one day, so that doesn't make any sense." Via corrected smartly, as she kicked the grass beneath her feet.

Jere continued, "Seriously, Ollie, he's trying."

"That's a first." Via scoffed, "He should've tried years ago, I don't care anymore."

"Whatever you have with dad, squash it, alright?" Jere exclaimed, "Please. He's finally home and I just want-"

"Livy!" The voice of Belly called from the distance, as Via and Jere both turned to look at the girl, who was running towards them with a margarita in her hand.

Via left Jeremiah to play football with their dad, before walking up to Belly, who was practically stumbling over. Via questioned, "How many of those have you had?"

"Two, five... it's not important." Belly slurred, "You're important right now."

"Right?" Via chuckled confusedly, a grin spread across her face quickly at Belly's words. She looked at Belly, who was just smiling to herself happily, before questioning, "Did you need something?"

"Oh! Right, yeah." Belly chirped, "It's cake time. How exciting!" She held Via's arm tightly, before leading her inside the house, "Come on!"

They were joined with Laurel, who frowned at her daughter before glancing at Via. Laurel questioned, "Who said you could have a margarita?"

Belly smiled, "Uh, Victoria."

Via looked down, realising Belly had linked arms with her before panicking, quickly slipping away to look at the cake on the table. Olivia smiled, "Woah, this looks amaz-"

"Amazing. I know." Susannah interrupted, as she walked inside. She grabbed the cake from the table, smiling at her daughter, "Come on, cake time."

Belly rushed outside to follow Susannah, taxing the slice with the most strawberries. Suddenly, Belly's ankle had rolled, causing her to fall onto Susannah, as they both collapsed to the deck. The cake splatted on the floor, the glass stand smashing as everybody ran over.

"Mom!" Via panicked, rushing towards her mother who was struggling to get up, "Are you okay?"

Adam had also rushed over, seeing if Susannah was okay, before the women whisper-yelled, "I'm fine! Adam, I'm fine."

Via glared at the man, who was only trying to help yet he got on the girl's last nerve. She glanced back at Belly, who was being supported by her own mother- a saddened look on her face as she realised she had ruined the cake.

Belly spluttered, "I-I'm sorry."

Susannah said nothing, before standing up on her own as she refused the help of her daughter, who had to watch her limp away with Laurel. Via rushed over to Belly, helping her up as the girl put all of her weight onto her.

Via supported Belly step by step up the stairs, as they finally arrived in Belly's room. Belly collapsed onto the bed as Via attempted to take off Belly's converse.

She slurred, "I ruined everything, didn't I? I mean, Susannah probably hates me now."

"My mom doesn't hate you, Belles." Via reassured, as she struggled to pull off the girl's shoes, "She just wanted tonight to be perfect. You know how she is about things being perfect."

"Yeah." Belly replied, before pausing, "Do you hate me, Ollie?"

Via paused in shock of the girl's words, as she placed the converse on the floor. She placed Belly's legs under the covers one by one, before sitting on the edge of the bed, "Why would I hate you?"

"I don't know." Belly slurred, "I just ruin everything with Taylor. Now I ruined us. We argue a lot now."

Via exhaled, "I know, but that doesn't mean I hate you... I would never hate you, Belles."

"Even if I did something bad?" Belly slurred, "Like, if I stole from a Bank. Or, if I broke into your house. Would you hate me then? Because I really want you to like me."

Via chuckled slightly at Belly's drunk words, "Belly, you're not making any sense." Via tucked Belly's hair behind her ear, before reassuring, "Just go to sleep, okay? When you wake up, everything will be okay."

Belly hesitated, "Will you be here when I wake up?"

Via stood up, pausing for a moment, "Are you sure you only had five margaritas?"

"Maybe six, but who's counting?" Belly grinned, her eyes becoming heavy as they shut slightly.

"You." Via replied sarcastically, "You should be counting." She paused, admiring Belly as she closed her eyes peacefully. Via whispered, "Good night."

Via turned around to face the door, before Belly mumbled, "Livy, can you be my team member for the volleyball tournament?"

Via smiled, "Of course."

"I love you."

Olivia stopped, her heart dropping to the bottom of her stomach before skipping a thousand beats. What? She stood there in pure shock, before quickly walking out of the room. Belly probably thought I was Conrad, Via thought, as she closed the door behind her quietly. Don't freak out, don't freak out, she probably meant it in a friend way, right?

"Is Belly okay?" Adam's voice broke Via out of her trance, as she could only nod. Adam continued, "Why'd you let her get so drunk?"

"I was with you, dad." Via defended sarcastically, "My bad if I can't do two things at once."

"Hey, drop the attitude." Adam warned, "I don't know what's wrong with you recently, young lady-"

"You haven't been here recently." Via argued, as she tried to storm away but her father followed, "Don't act like you suddenly care about my life because I know you don't."

Adam scoffed, "What are you talking about? I'm trying to remind you that you're lucky Belly and your mom didn't get hurt."

Via raised her voice, "If you wanted me to keep an eye out on Belly so badly, why did you take me away from her and force me to play your shitty game?"

Adam had followed Via outside now, joining Conrad, Steven, and Jeremiah who were cleaning up the party mess. All three of them shared confused looks on there face, as Adam warned, "Language! I'm trying to get something with you, like me and Jere. You were always so distant, I can't help that."

Jere frowned, "What's going on?"

"I was distant because of you and Jere's loving relationship!" Via shouted, as she finally stopped to look at him, "You only ever cared about what he did and what he cared about. You haven't asked me one thing about my life because you've always hated that I was different- I didn't like football, I got into trouble at school, I don't know what to do with my future. I'm just done with you and your shitty excuses! How hard is it to show up?"

Conrad sighed, "Ollie."

Adam paused, not knowing what to say, before spluttering, "I-I had work, Via, you know this."

Via retorted, tears swelling in her eyes f "Like, how I know that you che-"

"What is going on out here?" Laurel interrupted, as she stormed outside towards the girl. She stood in front of Via, her voice laced with frustration and her eyes were puffy from previously crying- Via already felt bad for her, and whatever had happened between her and Susannah. Laurel continued, "Your mom is trying to rest! So, whatever this is. It needs to stop now-"

Via defended, "That's not-"

"Now!" Laurel snapped, before holding the girls shoulders and turning her around. She insisted, "Go to the beach, have fun, do what teenagers do. If I hear anymore of this, I'll get your mother involved, do you understand, Via?"

"Yes!" Via rolled her eyes, raising her voice frustratedly as she walked away.

"Via." Laurel warned, before turning to Adam, "I think it's best if you leave for now."

Jeremiah linked arms with Via, pulling away from the situation quickly, "What the fuck was that? You made dad leave for the one weekend I wanted him here."

Via's body washed over with regret. She had ruined Jeremiah's weekend. He had always wanted his dad to spend time with the family again, yet she ruined everything.

Smoking pot wasn't how Via wanted to spend the night of the fourth, but she had nothing else to do and, to be honest, she hated herself. She hated how she ruined everything today, yet all she did was try and help. Via decided that maybe it was better if she removed herself from her family for a while, physically and mentally, so she went out to the pool alone.

She exhaled smoke before sitting down at the pool edge, her feet dangling in the water as sighed deeply. Via watched the fireworks alone, hoping Belly was here with her- but she had awoken from her sleep and had gone to the deck with Conrad. 

Via tried her best not to seem interested, but she couldn't help but glare at Conrad as he held Belly's hands- their bodies moving closer. Suddenly, a firework exploded in the sky right above them, causing the two to separate quickly.

Her night couldn't get any worse.

a/n:
this is totally unrelated but im writing an original story (after this fic has ended obviously) so wanted to know if anybody would read it :)

(it's a murder mystery, lesbian love story- of course)
it won't be published until this fic has finished but just wondering if you guys would like it.